The budget revolution is on it's way and no one can stop us from only paying for what we use and want. The "pressure" is turned up and AT&T is getting burned by the T-Mobile offense. AT&T is having to aggressively match the prices of rival T-Mobile who is taking customers away by the boat load from the industry. Here is my second update in about a week on how you should demand more from your service providers:
Breaking News: AT&T DROPS IT'S 1GB DATA PLAN, and NOW OFFERS 2GB of DATA for LESS MONEY
Now for the details: AT&T's is canceling its 1GB data plan, which previously cost $45 per month. Why because the 2GB price is being cut to $40, yup $40 dollars. 5 dollars less than your previous 1GB plan and $15 dollars cheaper than the old 2GB plan. There is one catch, you must SWITCH to the plan 2GB of data yourself...AT&T will not automatically switch it for you. :) More data for less sounds like a deal to me.
The investment: I will be closely watching T-Mobile and AT&T stock news to see how this one will play out. Cutting costs for demanding customers like me means that they will be increasing costs somewhere else.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Personal Finance - Lowering Your Cell Phones Costs
I'm sharing this information with you "Because I'm Happy", kinda like how Pharrell Williams was after he penned his hit song. I'm always happy about finding ways to invest and my #1 priority is helping you invest in yourself. Some of my favorite ways of investing myself are: 1) Saving for a rainy day, 2) Investing for short/long term gains, and 3) Cutting Your Costs.
Today we are talking about cutting the cell phone costs that plague many people. As important as your cell phone is, I tell people to try and be rationale where possible and save yourself a few bucks. I personally do not have a $80+ dollar phone bill and as you read from my previous article I will not enter into a contract unless its on my terms. It turns out there are more people out there that are beginning to adopt this same strategy and its forced the cell phone companies to give us plans that we actually need, instead of paying for a plan I don't use.
Quick ways to save big bucks on your cell phone
1) Minutes - Go with the basic minutes plan and jump on a carrier that most of your friends and family are on. You will benefit from free mobile to mobile minutes.
2) Text - Ease up on the one the word texts and pick up the phone and actually use those minutes every now and them. Or drop the text plan and take advantage of the many popular apps which let you text, talk or video message: "Whatsapp", "Viber", "Google Hangouts", "Blackberry IM", Apple Messenger", and "Skype" to reduce your reliance on carrier text plans. It's no secret why Whatsapp has 450 Million users worldwide.
3) Data - In as few words as possible, use WIFI. Its everywhere: Many people at work have access to WIFI, and don't forget to make a quick mental note of places like Starbucks, Staples, Home Depot, McDonalds, Jimmy Johns, and other retailers that offer you free WIFI when you are on the go.
Learn what you can live without and I've learned that WIFI is everywhere and I don't really need data. But cutting costs may also mean upgrading your plan if the price is right. If I can get a cheaper plan with unlimited minutes, text, and I can add data...then I might add something I want...but don't need. :)
Chart Courtesy of Techlicious.com:
Link to Techlicious Article: Cheapest Cell Phone Plans
| AT&T | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile | MetroPCS | US Cellular | Virgin | Boost | |
| Indv. Plan with some data | $45 300MB | $55 250MB | $55 1GB | $50 500MB*** | $40 500MB | $80 300MB | $55 2.5GB*** | $55** 2.5GB*** |
| Indv. Plan with 1 GB data | $70 1GB | $80 1GB | $55 1GB | $60 2.5GB*** | $50 2.5GB | $90 1GB | $55 2.5GB*** | $55** 2.5BG*** |
| Family Plan with some data (2 smartphones/ 2 feature) | $70* 300MB | $155* 250MB | $70 500MB/line | $180 300MB | ||||
| Family Plan with 2GB data (2 smartphone/ 2 feature) | $105 2GB | $190 2GB | $90 2.5BG/line | $200 2GB | ||||
| Family Plan with some data (4 smartphones) | $160 10GB | $175* 250MB | $160 1GB/line | $100 500MB***/line | $140 500MB/line | $200 300MB | ||
| Family Plan with 4GB data (4 smartphones | $160 10GB | $230 4GB | $160 1GB/line | $140 2.5GB***/line | $180 2.5GB/line | $230 4GB | ||
| Additional cost per month to use smartphone as a hotspot | $0 Included | $0 Included | $10 1GB | $0 Included | n/a | $0 Included | $15 | $10 |
Note: Chart shows the least expensive plan available to meet the criteria set forth: unlimited text, unlimited calling and specified data package. Prices provided by carrier, with exception of T-Mobile and Sprint, whose most recent prices were pulled from their website February 21, 2014. Pricing based on you bringing your own device, where possible. Some carriers do not support feature phones.
Saturday, March 01, 2014
2014 - Themes Shaping My Investments (pt 1)
I want to capture the themes that I believe are shaping the world in 2014 and for the foreseeable future. Game changing events shape people first, then entrepreneurs react, and finally investment dollars follow. This is important for many people to remember in my opinion when looking back and asking why is the world changing right before my eyes and how can I participate. I've heard the phrase when life gives you lemonade...and changed it to when you and the world are buying or using a quality product think about investing in it. I have a good friend that constantly talks to me about Whatsapp and if anyone close to me knows Apps are not my thing but I find out they were bragging about what would be a 19 Billion Dollar company I was just being introduced to.
Theme 1: E-Commerce
I write about this theme often and the verdict is in, many people prefer the comfort of buying things online. I know I do and a number of entrepreneurs have responded to become mega online retailers for everything imaginable. Continue to think about the ways our buying patterns change on the Internet and take advantage of the companies that will capitalize on it first OR do it better. This will be a combination of new and old companies changing the way we shop. Remember last year, there was a reason why so many packages were delayed during the Christmas holiday by UPS and that theme is the comfort of buying things online.
- Amazon, Ebay (Paypal), Yahoo, Google, Walmart, Home Depot, UPS, Fedex
Theme 2: Mobile /APPS
The mobile wars are heating up. Finally, most of the world is warming up to a concept I've been using for quite a while: "No Debt/No Contract". The mobile companies have used contracts to their advantage for quite some time and this has led many people to enter into never ending contracts that change usually on the companies terms. My philosophy is don't sign it until to read it. If you don't like what you read...call the company and see if you can change the terms...or don't sign it. I buy my phones myself and never enter into a contract. Many people have not paid attention to the fine print so AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint have dominated the US market. The public is tired of this model and now enters T-Mobile and their "no contract" and "cheaper packages". And now the big companies like AT&T must follow suit with lower prices or lose customers.
Then enter the world of Apps...I can't explain the love affair for all things FLAPPY but Apps are the favorite hobby of the world. I personally don't use very many apps but I can't deny their staying power.
- Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Apple, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Blackberry, Facebook, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Zynga, Candy Crush
...the remaining themes are to be continued
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)